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About JWC Residential Construction

Built from Inspiration

JWC Construction evolved from the inspiration of the owners’ own personal luxury home-building experiences and more than ten years of collective construction industry expertise. Combining enthusiasm with skill, and flexibility with classic application, JWC has grown as a business and earned the gratitude of clients who want something more from a luxury home than just another cookie-cut-out house.

With each new project, JWC continually strives to move families beyond the ordinary by consistently building luxury homes that are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and the very definition of comfort and innovation. 

Offering the advantages of a licensed realtor, design and architectural referrals, geothermal and home automation systems, JWC delivers a single comprehensive and expert resource on which the homeowner can rely.

Click here  to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today.

Jesse Hartung - President

As a self-starter and highly motivated individual, Jesse Hartung has worked diligently toward building his construction business since the age of 15. It was in these early years that Jesse began acquiring the most basic skills and experience necessary to succeed in the building trade. 

From ages 18 to 22, he served as an Airborne Infantry man in the US Army, followed by service in the Minnesota National Guard. As was characteristic of Jesse’s initiative and drive, he recorded 42 full combat gear jumps and received many awards and certificates, including the noteworthy Expert Infantry Badge.

At the age of 22, Jesse took on the challenge of building his own home in the role of general contractor. He so thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and achievements of the process that he started up his own home-building business and had completed three more houses by the age of 23. Since that time, Jesse has committed himself to growing JWC Construction into the premier luxury home builder in the industry.

Jesse has traveled extensively throughout Europe and in his spare time enjoys mountain biking, camping, and golf.

William Smith II - Vice President

William Smith has always been diversified, pursuing educational experiences and varied careers to a degree that many only manage to achieve in just one area. Upon graduating from high school, he entered the Army Reserves, later transferring to the Army National Guard. He attended Minnesota State University in Mankato, and in 2000 earned his BS degree in Mass Communications. William then set off on a career in broadcasting, working as a news director for KEYC-TV in Mankato, as a sport and ad producer for AT&T Broadband, and eventually a news director for KMSP-TV in Minneapolis. Concurrent with these careers, William studied and earned his Minnesota Realtor’s License.

In addition to his other achievements, William Smith dreamed of owning his own business. After meeting Jesse Hartung and seeing first-hand what Jesse had accomplished in constructing his own home, William knew where he could best direct his skills. William joined Jesse and Craig Gutterud in forming JWC Construction, offering home buyers the benefit of his real estate experience and technological expertise in home automation.

William’s ambition remains inexhaustible, as he looks to grow JWC into the number one builder in the metro, the state, the nation and eventually the world.

Craig Gutterud - Vice President

When Craig Gutterud started working landscaping for the city of Crystal at the age of 18, it sparked his interest in the home-building industry. But while he attended school at NHCC, he worked a series of positions for UPS and Target Distribution Center, and was finally able to pursue his interest in construction when he built his own home.

Once Craig directed his focus toward the luxury home-building industry there was no stopping him. Dedicated and committed to this new venture, Craig joined with Jesse and William and over the course of two years, Craig and his associates built five houses while simultaneously working on four smaller renovation projects. The business has continued to grow since that time, and like his partners, Craig is focused on continuing to build quality, energy-efficient homes incorporated with the latest technologies, and to make JWC the top builder in Minnesota and beyond.

When Craig is not building luxury homes he spends time playing golf, water skiing, snow boarding, snowmobiling and playing Texas Hold’em.